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Conservation Resources 
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F\W. Putnam 






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N the way of initiatory remarks it is the desire of 
the compilers of this pamphlet to call attention to 
evidences of progress and improvement that have 
taken place in Fresno County during the past year. 
For Fresno City progress in all directions is appar- 
ent. The population has increased steadily, many 
business buildings and handsome residences have 
been erected. Many substantial municipal im- 
provements have been made and much beneficial 
reconstruction of civic affairs has been accom- 
plished. 

The rural portions of the County have Increased 
greatly in population. Several succesful land enter- 
prises have operated to bring in many settlers. 
These have been farmers who have at once proceed- 
ed to the improvement of the lands upon which 
they have settled. They have become contented 
and prosperous members of the community. 

At the Pan American Exhibition Fresno 
achieved the proud distinction of first gold medal 
for the best general exhibit of products. Besides 
the award to the County there were ten gold 
medals, six silver medals and other awards to Indi- 
vidual exhibitors within the general display. This 
pamphlet is intended to inform inquirers as to the 
resources and opportunities of Fresno County. The 
statements herein are conservative, the desire being 
to attract people to the County who after arriving 
here and investigating matters shall not be disap- 
pointed. 




Fresno County Court House 



FRESNO COUNTY 



GEOGRAPHICAL Fresno County is located in the center 
POSITION of the San Joaquin Valley. Fresno City, 

AND AREA the County Seat, is situated near the 
geographical center of the State of California, and in about 
the same parallel of latitude as North Carolina. The boun- 
daries of the County extend across the San Joaquin Valley 
from the Coast Range Mountains on the west to the summits 
of the Sierra Nevada on the east. The County comprises 
about 3,600,000 acres, of which about one- third is tillable soil 
adapted to agriculture and horticulture. Fresno City is about 
200 miles from San Francisco and about 100 miles from the 



TOPOGRAPHY 



Fresno County presents a great variety of cli- 
matic conditions and soil. The altitudes vary 
AND CLIiTAlE from 250 to 13,000 feet. The Coast Range Moun- 
tains on the west are, comparatively speaking, low rolling 
hills. The country intervening between these hills and the 











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Picking Wine Grapes 



Sierra, on the east, is valley land, comprising river bottom 
and upland. The Sierra Nevada Mountains, which occupy 
the entire eastern part of the County, are divided into three 
regions — the foot-hill region, the timber or forest region, and 
the region of snow and ice. It will be readily understood that 
with such a variety of topographical conditions, a correspond- 
ing variety of climatic conditions exists. The yearly seasons 
in the San Joaquin Valley are two. The dry season usually 
begins about June 1st, lasting until about the middle of Oc- 
tober, or the 1st of November, when the rainy season begins. 
The average rainfall is about 10 inches. There is an average 
of 275 days of sunshine in the year. The rain in the winter 
seldom lasts more than two or three days at a time. With 
the exception of very rainy days, there is no time in the whole 
year that men and teams may not work out of doors. The 
mean average temperature is about 60 degrees. The average 
summer temperature is 80. The atmosphere during the sum- 
mer months is very dry. The summer heat is not so percep- 
tible nor nearly so depressing as in localities where there is 
damp atmosphere. The nights are nearly always cool and en- 
joyable. There are no sunstrokes, no hail storms. The wind 
never reaches a velocity great enough to damage property. 
The health reports show that Fresno City has the lowest death 

_4— • 



PRODUCTION 



rate of any city in the State, 'the same statistics show that 
the summer months are the most healthful. The mountain 
regions of the eastern portion of the County are always cool. 
These may be reached in about eight or ten hours' drive from 
Fresno City. 

There is probably no other equal area of 
country capable of producing a greater va- 
riety of valuable commodities than can be produced in Fresno 
County. Among those that are successfully produced in com- 
mercial quantities are: Cattle, horses, sheep, hogs, hides, wool 
and tallow, lumber, fire wood, gold, copper, petroleum, wheat, 
barley, oats, rye, Indian corn, Egyptian corn, broom corn, or- 
anges, lemons, olives, figs, all kinds of deciduous fruits, table 
grapes, raisin grapes, dried fruits, raisins, wines and brandies, 
butter, cheese, poultry, eggs, all kinds of garden vegetables, 
sweet and Irish potatoes, tomatoes, celery, all kinds of berries, 
honey, etc. There are over^ 500,000 deciduous fruit trees in 
the County, and this number is being added to each season. 
There are about 40,000 acres of vineyard producing raisin 
and wine grapes. 



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Fresno Irrigating Canal 



IRRIGATION In California irrigation is the one great neees- 
FACILITIES sity if success is to follow the efforts of the 
farmer. Such are the results of irrigation that no well in- 
formed person thinks of purchasing a piece of land in a sec- 
tion of country that is not well supplied with water. In this 
regard Fresno County may truthfully claim to have facilities 
that are much beter than those of any other point in the United 
States. The water for the Fresno system comes from the 
snows and glaciers of the high Sierras, from a region known 
as the American Alps. The mountains in this region reach 
great altitudes, and during the winter months snow accumu- 
lates in vast quantities upon the peaks and in the canyons. In 
addition to this snow there are glaciers of living ice. These 
form a storage supply that is practically inexhaustible. As 
the summer advances the snow melts and keeps the streams 
running during the irrigation season. The Fresno Canal and 
Irrigation Company operates a splendid system, with 300 miles 
of main canals, and 1000 miles of branch canals, and 5000 
miles of distributing canals. This great system is most suc- 
cessfully operated, and furnishes, during the irrigating season 



an abundance of water for all. The annual charge for wate* 
Is 62% cents per acre. This is the cheapest and best irriga- 
tion service in California, 

LAND Lands of many qualities and kinds can be bought 
VALUES in Fre3no County. There are large areas of land 
that can be bought for $10.00 per acre, and even 
less. This kind of land is fit only for grazing purposes. It is 
not provided with a water right. Land that will raise good 
grain in favorable years may be had from $15.00 and- up. Land 
with a water right can be purchased from $25.00 up. The 
above prices are for what may be termed the cheap lands of 
the County. The better class of lands costs more money. 
First- class land for alfalfa can be purchased* for $35.00 to 
$50.00 per acre. First-class land for orchards or vineyards 
can be bought for from $35.00 to $75.00 per acre. 
First-class vineyards in full bearing have sold dur- 
ing the past two years for $250.00 to $300.00. Good bearing 
orchards have changed hands during the last year at from 
$100.00 to $150.00 per acre. The high-priced lands are situ- 
ated in the vicinity and adjacent to the City of Fresno. First- 
class lands for general farming, dairying, stock and hog rais- 
ing purposes, can be had for from $40 to $100 per acre. First- 




A Fresno County Head Gate 
—7— 




Irrigation Reservoir in the Foothills — Citrus Region 

class lands for general farming, dairing, stock and hog rais- 
ing, for corn, vegetables, etc., can be had at from $25.00 to 
$50.00 per acre. There are no government lands to be had 
that are of much value for agriculture. Land of all kinds can 
be rented. Grain land is rented usually for one-fourth share 
of the crop. Orchards and vineyards are sometimes rented 
on shares, but the usual custom is to rent for a cash rent. The 
cash rent for orchards and vineyards varies from $5.00 to 
$35.00 per acre annually. Leases are usually made during the 
months of October and November. Lands for all purposes 
can be bought on time by paying down a portion of the pur- 
chase price. 



INDUSTRIES 
OF THE 



PLEASANT AND PROFITABLE EMPLOYMENTS 
THAT flAY BE ENGAGED IN 

The industry for which Fresno is most cele- 
COUNTY brated is the growing and making of raisins. 
This is so, not only because the raisin industry has been a 
source of great profit to the county, but also from another and 
still more significant fact, viz., that the district In the vicinity 
of Fresno is the greatest raisin producing section in the world. 




Picking Season in a Fresno Vineyard 



The making of raisins is a very simple process, and one that 
any intelligent man can engage in successfully with the infor- 
mation that is always to be had from others engaged in the 
business. The grapes that are ordinarily grown for raisin 
making are the Muscat, the Thompson Seedless and the Seed- 
less Sultanas. The grapes when ripe are picked and laid on 
wooden trays placed between the vine rows. After four or five 
days' exposure to the sun they are turned, exposing the other 
side. The curing process requires about two weeks, after 
which they are placed in boxes and after a week or two are 
hauled to the packing houses. The value of the raisins pro- 
duced in Fresno County reaches about $3,000,000 annually. Of 
course the producing capacity of vineyards varies consider- 
ably. A vineyard will return from $50.00 to $125.00 per acre. 
It would be quite possible to cite numberless instances where 
vineyards have returned more than the above figures. Many 
vineyards have returned $150.00 per acre. But it is better to 
deal with the averages than to give extreme cases of produc- 
tion. The cost of cultivating, pruning, irrigating, picking, 

—10— 



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—11— 




A Fresno Lemon Orchard 



curing and handling the crop is about $25.00 to $30.00 per acre. 
This shows a net return from vineyards of from $25.00 to 
$100.00 per acre. The variation in the returns as shown above 
is due to difference in conditions of soil, locality and care. The 
latter probably is one of the greatest influences. 

Good vineyard soil with water can be bought for $35.00 and 
upward. The cost of preparing ground for a vineyard is from 
$5.00 to $10.00 per acre. The rootings cost from $6.00 to $12.00' 
per acre. The planting costs $10.00 to $15.00 per acre. The 
vines will, with proper attention, begin to bear the third year 
after planting. Raisin vineyards in bearing are to be had all 
the way from $100.00 per acrp to "^50.00 per acre. 
WINF Wine grapes are quii-^ s profitable in Fresno as" 
the raisin grapes. They require less handling than 
GRAPES t ne raisins, as they are picked and carted to the 
winery at once. A good wine vineyard will, when in full bear- 
ing, yield from six to twelve tons of grapes per acre a year, 
and these sell for $12.00 to $16.00 per ton. The cost of culti- 
vation, picking and delivering, the crop is about $20.00 per 
acre, showing net returns of from $50.00 to $140.00 per acre. 

—12— 



The cost of wine vineyards is just about the same as the fig- 
ures given above for raisin vineyards. Fresno County has the 
reputation of being one of the best sweet wine growing sections 
in the United States. 




Gathering Olives 



DECIDUOUS In Fresno all kinds of deciduous trees thrive, 
OPCHARDS and tne orcnar< * business is one of the best that 
^ can be engaged in. All varieties of peaches are 

very successful. In fact, it would be hard to find a locality 
that produces finer peaches or greater quantities of them per 
acre than Fresno. Apricots are a very profitable fruit, but 
perhaps not quite so reliable as the peach. Prunes do splen- 
didly in Fresno County. There are in the County some of the 
largest and finest prune orchards in the world. The Bartlett 
pear produced in certain parts of the County cannot be sur- 
passed. Nectarines, plums, apples and quinces are also ex- 
tensively and profitably raised in Fresno. These fruits are 
shipped green, they are dried, and also sold to the canneries. 
When they are cured the process is quite the same as raisin 
drying described before. The fruit is cut in halves and the 
pits removed, and then it is spread on tray's to dry in the sun. 
The shipments of fruit from Fresno aggregate over $1,000,000 
annually. The business is increasing constantly. A good de- 
ciduous orchard in bearing should return from $50.00 to $100.00 
per acre. They frequently return $125.00. 

—13— 




Picking Oranges 



Several orchardists have recently contracted their pears and 
peaches to the canneries for five years at $20.00 per ton. These 
orchards yield from four to five tons to the acre. 

The expense of operating an orchard is from $20.00 to $25.00 
per year per acre, showing a profit of $25.00 to $100.00 per 
acre. 

Olives are not so extensively grown in Fresno as some of 
the other varieties of fruit. Those that are grown are very 
successful, and the quality is exceptionally good. The local 
demand for pickled ripe olives is greater than the supply. 
Some of the finest olive oil manufactured in California is 
made in Fresno. The present amount of acreage in olives is 
comparatively small. There is room for many more in this 
delightful and profitable industry. The olive tree is very 
sturdy, and will do well upon soil that is not absolutely first- 
class. Good land for olives can be bought in Fresno for $25.00 
to $35.00 and up. 

The fig in Fresno County deserves particular mention, as 
there is no other locality in California where the fig will do 

—14— 



so well, or where so much has been done in cultivating and 
improving the fruit. As the result of the efforts of Mr. George 
C. Roeding, a promininent horticulturist ond nurseryman of 
the County, Fresno now produces the real Smyrna fig, an 
achievement that has not been accomplished anywhere else in 
America. Thousands of dollars worth of figs have been pack- 
ed and shipped every year from Fresno, but it is hard to guess 
to what magnitude the industry will grow. The success of 
the Smyrna fig enables Fresno to produce an article that is 
equal in every way to the Smyrna fig. The fig tree in 
Fresno is a healthy, hardy tree. It is the custom among many 
vineyardists to plant borders of fig trees around their vine- 
yards. These not only add much to the beauty of the prop- 
erties, but are a source of much profit, as the fruit is often 
sold on the trees to people who cure and pack it. Good lands 
for fig orchards can be bought in Fresno for $40.00 to $60.00 
per acre. 

ORANGES In Fresno County oranges are grown success- 
AND fully whereever there is water, but the most 

LEHONS successful orange lands are located in the 

eastern part of the County, at the base of the foot-hills. The 
soil and climatic conditions in this section are admittedly 
among the best to be found in any part of the State. The citrus 
fruits of this district have repeatedly taken prizes at District 
citrus fairs, State fairs and International expositions. The 
advantages that Fresno claims for the district are freedom 
from frost, and certain conditions of soil, that produce a 
superior fruit, but the chief advantage is the fact that Fresno 
County oranges ripen and are ready for market three to six 
weeks earlier than those of most other parts of the State, thus 
reaping the benefit of the early high prices in the Eastern 
markets. First-class orange lands, with water, can be pur- 
chased in Fresno County for $50.00 to $100.00 per acre. The 
cost of planting an orchard is about as follows per acre: For 
trees, $75.00; preparing land and transplanting trees and care 
the first year, $35.00; care the second and third years, $30.00 
Orange trees will begin to bear the fourth year after plant- 
ing. At five or six years of age the trees should bear well and 
yield a handsome income. There are planted orange groves 
in bearing in Fresno County that are for sale. Twenty-flve 
thousand dollars was recently offered for a grove of twenty- 
three acres of nine-year-old trees, but the offer was refused. 
The future of orange culture in Fresno is particularly bright. 
The industry holds extraordinary inducements to those who 
want to engage in fruit growing. 

—15— 




— 1&— 




17— 




Seventy Bushels of Indian Corn to the Acre in Fresno County 

—18— 




—19— 





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Alfalfa in Fresno County 



ALFALFA Alfalfa is the most valuable forage plant 

ANn that we have. In the irrigated lands of 

A Fresno County, alfalfa seems to find a 

DAIRYING natural home. It grows luxuriantly, and 

to those who are unacquainted with the value of alfalfa in 
connection with dairying, it is a revelation. The crops when 
cut for hay are moved three to five times a year. The yield 
from a good stand of alfalfa is from one to two tons of hay to 
each cutting. This means from five to ten tons of 
hay to the acre every year. This hay is shipped in 
large quantities to Southern California and Arizona. It is 
true in Fresno, as elsewhere, that the most profitable way to 
handle alfalfa is to feed it where it is grown. One acre of al- 
falfa will keep a cow the year through. We respectfully ask 
those who have been used to devoting all of four or five acres 
to keeping one cow to think this over. 

The dairying business i - Fresno is one of the most attrac- 
tive propositions that can be offered. It is the surest and 
quickest means of earning money from a piece of land. To 
a man of moderate means it is the stepping stone to the fruit 
and vine business, as it provides an opportunity to earn money 
during the time required for trees and vines to come into 

—20— 



bearing*. For this reason we desire to draw the attention of 
readers to the fact that Fresno is one of the best dairying 
sections in the world. Alfalfa can be planted as late as March, 
and by the first of July the first cutting will yield from a ton 
and a half to two tons of feed to the acre. This is the finest 
feed for dairy cows that can be had anywhere. Fresno has 
some very extensive creameries, and these have established 
skimming stations all over the County, where the farmers sell 
their cream. To any thinking man who knows about dairying, 
these conditions suggest the way to a profitable business. 
Following we give the opinion of experts and the statements 
of some of our practical dairymen. The late Mr. McNulty, 
manager of the San Joaquin Creamery, says in an article on 
dairying: 




Hauling Grain 



"The question is often asked, Does dairying pay? It is our 
opinion that there is no other place on the map of the world 
where one's finger can be placed where feed can be grown so 
abundantly and cheaply as in the San Joaquin Valley. Alfalfa 
is pre-eminently a cow feed, and the butter produced from the 
milk of alfalfa-fed cows, if skillfully and scientifically han- 
dled, produces a texture and a flavor that cannot be surpassed. 
In proof of this we can point with pride to the fact that the 
first premiums of the State Fair at Sacramento have repeat- 
edly come to Fresno, It is predicted that within the next five 
years every acre of alfalfa in the San Joaquin Valley will be 
covered with dairy cows, and that experienced dairymen from 
all over the country will come here to settle. Cows can here 
be run on green posture the year around. We can here pro- 

—21 — 



duce a pound of butter for less than half what it can be pro* 
duced in Illinois, Iowa or Wisconsin. California imports an- 
nually from the East about 1,500,000 pounds of butter." That 
is something else to think over. 

Mr. Murphy, manager of the Danish Creamery, states that 
their patrons ar* milking about three hundred cows. The 




Mammoth Blackberries 
—22— 



average amount of money paid for butter fat is $55.00 to $60.00 
per cow annually. This is exclusive of the value of the calf 
and the skim milk. 

The following is a letter from a Fresno County dairyman; 
"I milked last year an average of forty-three cows per month; 
sold during that time butter fat to the amount of $55.93 per 
each cow; also raised and sold calves and hogs to the amount 
of $19.71 per each cow, making the total earnings of each cow 
for the year, $76.65." 

Numerous statements show that the above returns are about 
the average in Fresno. There are numbers of statements 
that run very much higher than these, but it is sufficient to 
be able to say that in Fresno County the average return from 
one cow is $55.00 to $60.00 for butter fat, and $18.00 to $20.00 
for calf and skim milk, or $75.00 to $80.00 total annual gross 
yield from ONE COW AND ONE ACRE OF LAND. 

These are not fancy figures. They are being realized in 
Fresno County right along. The feed upon which this is be- 
ing done is almost entirely and universally alfalfa. First-class 
alfalfa lands can be purchased in Fresno County for from 
$25.00 to $r>0.00 per acre, including .water right. 




Some Watermelons 
—23— 





—24— 




resno City 




Winery 



—25— 



CORN AND 
OTHER 



Fresno County plants annually about 300,000/ 
acres of wheat and barley. The value of hay 
and grain exports is about $1,000,000, in addi- 
CEREALS tion to w hich are large quantities retained for 
home consumption. Fresno County has lands that produce 
seventy bushels of Indian corn to the acre. Large quantities of 
Egyptian corn is also produced. Broom corn is also produced 
in large quantities on the bottom lands. 




Stock Cattle on Fresno Pastures 



These are sources of much profit to the small 
farmer. There is always a good local market 
for eggs and chickens. Eggs do not bring less 
than ten cents per dozen, and from that up to 

thirty -five cents. Chickens bring on an average $4.00 per 

dozen the year around. 



POULTRY 

AND EGGS, 

ETC. 



Honey is another source of profit to the small farmer. We 
have authentic record of farmers on twenty to forty acres 
who have made from $1000 to $2500 in a year on honey alone. 
Alfalfa honey is very fine and ranks with the clover honey of 
the East. 

Vegetables and small fruits are another means by which 
the farmer may add to his income in Fresno County. Truck 
gardening is very profitable. The City of Fresno, with a pop- 
ulation of 17,000 people, consumes a great many more vege- 
tables than are produced in the County. Fresno County has 
as rich garden lands as can be found in the State. All kinds 
of vegetables are raised successfully. Potatoes, tomatoes, 
sweet potatoes, celery — all can be produced in perfection, and 
there is a sure home market for all that any one wants to raise. 
Berries are also very profitable. The home demand does be- 
gin to be supplied. These small products all bring high prices 
in our home markets. Fresno is noted as a producer of a very 
fine quality of watermelons. Not only is there a large demand 
for them, but, on account of their superior flavor, they are in 

—26— 



great demand in markets as far east as the Rockies. Hun- 
dreds of cars are shipped to Portland and to Montana and the 
Dakotas. This one product reaches a value of $100,000 a year. 




Sheep in Fresno Pastures 



CATTLE, 

HOGS AND 

SHEEP 



These are all produced in large numbers for 
both home use and for shipment. In fact, fo 
favorable are the conditions for this business 
in Fresno that thousands of cattle are brought 
from other less favored sections to the pastures of Fresno 
County, where they are fattened for the markets of San Fran- 
cisco and elsewhere. Hogs are a source of great profit, both 
to the large stock grower and the small farmer, particularly 
to the dairymen. / 



IN THE 

flOUNTAlN 

REGIONS 



The mountains in the eastern part of the Coun- 
ty are vast storehouses of wealth . Almost every 
known mineral is to be found, and while we 
have some few mines that are worked for gold 
and copper, this great region of mineral wealth is practically 
not exploited at all. There are deposits of gold, silver, copper, 
coal and iron, limestone, granite and marble — all waiting fer 
development. In this region are found the great forests from 

—27— 



which over $1,000,000 worth of lumber is made annually. This 
lumber includes yellow and sugar pine, cedar, fir, and redwood. 
Some of the trees from which this is cut are the largest in the 
world, being the Sequoia Gigantea, measuring over one hun- 
dred feet in circumference. There are two large lumber 
plants which bring the lumber from the mountains in flumes 
that are sixty miles or more in length, to the towns of Sanger 
and Clovis, where it is manufactured into building material of 
all kinds, and into boxes for the shipment of our fruits. The 
Sequoia, or redwood lumber, and sugar pine, are shipped all 
over the United States. 




Fresno County Oil Fields 



OIL 



Fresno County is a large producer of crude oil. The 
wells are located in the southwestern part of the 
Ccunty,in the vicinity of Coalinga. The district comprises 
some wells that are among the best in the State, and yield sev- 
eral hundred barrels per day. This supply of fuel oil so near 
to Fresno is a very great advantage. It means that we have 
close at hand cheap fuel for all purposes. With this fuel there 
is no reason why Fresno should not become a manufacturing 
center. The Fresno County oil is the best in quality that is 
found in California. It carries a large per centage of the dis- 
tillates, kerosene, gasoline, benzine, etc. It is the best oil for 
manufacturing gas to be found in the State. The value of this 
oil as a fuel will be understood when it is stated that from 
three to three and one-half barrels is equal to a ton of first 
class coal. 

—28— 



FLFCTPIC The San Joa( l uin Electric Company has a 
orlwr d power station on the San Joaquin River, about 

POWER thirty-five miles from Fresno City. This power 

is delivered to Fresno and also to towns in adjoining Coun- 
ties. The entire length of transmission is about sixty- five 
miles. This company furnishes Fresno with lights, and the 
power is used in several of the manufacturing establishments 
of the city. The power costs in Fresno about $45.00 per horse 
power a year. 




Interior of Packing House 

Among the manufacturing and com- 

MANUFACTURING mercial .enterprises in Fresno, the 

AND COMMERCIAL packing houses, where the raisins and 

ENTERPRISES dried fruits are packed and prepared 

for shipment, are the most extensive. 
It is hard for one who has never seen the packing houses of 
Fresno to realize the magnitude of this enormous business. 
There are in Fresno County fifty or more great packing houses 
where fruit and raisins are handled in quantities that are a 
surprise to any stranger looking at the operations carried on 

—29— 




Some of Fresno's Large Packing Plants 



here during fruit- packing season. Fruit and raisins are han- 
dled by the hundreds of tons. The larger packinging houses 
occupy from sixty to one hundred thousand square feet of floor 
space. They employ from two hundred to four hundred hands 
during the packing season, and the packed goods are shipped 
away in trainloads. Recent inventions have been made for 
extracting the seeds from raisins. This industry is carried on 
by the packing houses, and has grown to very large propor- 
tions. 

A large factory has recently been erected in Fresno which 
Is entirely devoted to manufacturing by-products from the re- 
fuse and waste of the packing houses and wineries. Even the 
raisin seeds are utilized. The wineries of Fresno are among 
the finest and largest in the country. There are thirteen 
large wineries in the County, producing annually over $1,000,- 
000 worth of wine and $2 50,000 worth of brandy. A new brew- 
ery, with a fine large brick building, is one of the new manu- 
facturing enterprises in Fresno. In addition to these are an 
ice factory, creameries, agricultural implement factories, 
flouring mill, box factories, canneries, etc. 



LABOR 



It will be readily understood that, with such large 
enterprises as have been mentioned above, there 
is always a demand in Fresno for good labor. Particularly is 
this true of the season when fruit is harvested and cured and 
packed. During this season thousands of hands are needed 
to gather the fruit and grapes and attend to the drying and 
hauling to the wineries and packing houses. The light work, 

—30— 



such as cutting the fruit for drying and packing it in boxes 
and fancy packages for shipment, is largely done by women 
and girls. Young men and boys can always find employment 
in the orchards and vineyards during this season. During the 
past two years mechanical labor of all kinds has been in great 
demand in Fresno. The building trades have been particularly 
busy. In fact, there is no reason for any man being out of 
work in Fresno. 




Packing Seeded Raisins 



EDUCATIONAL 



The public school system of Fresno 
County is unexcelled anywhere. The 
buildings are all modern and well equipped. The City of 
Fresno has handsome school buildings. The High School is 
one of the most imposing structures of its kind in California. 
There are seven high schools in the County, two of which stand 
upon the accredited list of the State University, and pupils are 
graduated and prepared for collegiate course. Fresno County 
has 127 school districts, and 231 teachers employed. There are 
also good business colleges and a conservatory of music at 
the City of Fresno. 

—31— 




Fresno City High School 



CITY OF FRESNO 



One who is traveling about often hears 



the expression, "Fresno is the best town 
in the State." It certainly does possess many advantages over 
other places, even over other cities of much greater popula- 
tion. The City of Fresno ranks No. 3 in shipping importance 
in California. It is the metropolis and business center of the 
San Joaquin Valley, and the natural gravitating point for the 
production and commercial energy of a great and enormously 
productive section of country. Regarding the financial condi- 
tion of Fresno County, it is only necessary to say that there are 
in the City of Fresno five banks, representing a capital and 
surplus of over $1,000,000, and having deposits amounting to 
$3,650,000. 

The City of Fresno is quite a railroad center. There are 
eight lines radiating from it. Fresno City and most of the 
principal towns of the County are upon the lines of the two 
transcontinental railroads, the Southern Pacific and the Santa 
Fe. These furnish the best of facilities for transportation 
and for shipping. 

In addition to the advantages named, the city has a fine 

—33— 



I ' . ,1 ' ■ 



Z.^iZ ,':.':, 




Ililalllill 



A Country School House, Fresno County 

opera house, good churches, a County Courthouse costing over 
$200,000. The contract is let for the new $30,000 Library, the 
gift of Mr. Andrew Carnegie. Congress has during the last 
session passed a bill appropriating $100,000 for a public build- 
ing. The past two years have been marked by great activity 
in building. A large number of new business buildings have 
been erected, and the number of fine residences built has been 
remarkable. A great deal of substantial street improving has 
been done; new pavements and cement sidewalks have been 
laid in many directions. One of the greatest marks of pro- 
gress during the past year is the building of a system of elec- 
tric street cars. This system is now in course of construction, 
and will be in operation soon. It will serve not only the City 
of Fresno, but will extend out into the more populous suburban 
localities. The desirability of Fresno and vicinity as a place 
of residence will be greatly increased as soon as this road is 
completed. The city has good sewerage system, well paved 
streets, good fire department, gas, electricity, and good water, 
and good postal service. A number of rural delivery routes 
have been established recently. In fact, there are all the ad- 
vantages of a first-class modern city. Fresno promises much 
for the future. Her trade is on the increase constantly. She 
occupies the center of a locality that produces enormous quan- 
tities of readily saleable commodities. All of the conditions 
for manufacturing are close at hand — cheap fuel, cheap power, 
and unlimited possibilities for the production of raw material 
of almost every kind. The great need of the city and County, 
is population. People who are willing to work, who will takt 
advantage of the natural conditions that are waiting to be 
utilized to the benefit of mankind 

-34— 




Lodge and Driveway — Private Park — Fresno County 



SANGER 



Sanger is located fourteen miles east of the 
County seat, on a line of the Southern Pacific 
Railroad. It is a thriving town of 1500 inhabitants, with ex- 
cellent educational, religious and business advantages, is in 
close proximity to the Kings River Orange district, 
lying adjacent to the river bottom lands, com- 
prising several thousand acres of rich aluvial soil capable of 
producing great quantities of all kinds of fruits, vegetables 
and alfalfa, and the country generally, situated as it is, makes 
it well worth the attention of the home-seeker. Sanger is 
specially favored from an educational standpoint, having a 
high school with three instructors and a daily average of 50 
students. The grammar school has six competent teachers, 
and the last school census showed 38 school children in the 
district. Besides having six religious denominations there 
are eleven fraternal organizations. In addition to being lo- 
cated on a line of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and four miles 
from the Santa Fe, Sanger has a good stage line running to 
the following summer resorts: Millwood (45 miles) .Converse 

— 35«*« 



Basin (55 miles) General Grant National Park (47 miles), 
Kings River Canyon (75 miles), and is reached by trail. The 
products compare favorably with other portions of the County, 
all of which have been mentioned in this pamphlet. The San- 
ger Lumber Company, which has its extensive mills, together 
with its yards, covering 65 acres, give employment to a large 
number of men. The business portion of Sanger is well pro- 
vided for on the way, merchandise stores, hotels, restaurant, 
newspaper, etc. The town is lighted by electricity. A modern 
creamery with cold storage attached, has recently been con- 
structed. The last named improvement will prove a great con- 
venience to the dairymen. The Sanger district is irrigated 
from three irrigation systems, viz: Fresno Canal and Irrigation 
Company, Fowler switch, and the Centerville and Kings River 
Canal Company. 




A Combined Harvester at Work. 
—36— 







•■■::;:■••■';_•••"'■•■•■•. 







Public School in Reedley, Fresno County 



REEDLEY 



Reedley is situated in the southeastern portion 
of Fresno County, and 25 miles from the County 
seat. It stands on the banks of the beautiful Kings River, 
which runs through one of the most productive parts of the 
State, made so by the bountiful supply of water taken from 
its stream for irrigation purposes. Through this source there 
is one of the cheapest irrigation systems in the State, on the 
co-operative plan, covering 128,000 acres. Reedley has three 
churches and seven fraternal organizations. Besides having 
large merchandise stores, hotels, extensive warehouses, news- 
paper, packing house and large wineries, almost every other 
line of business is represented. Our school facilities are of 
the best. We have a brick structure, erected at a cost of 
$17,000, all of which has been paid. Our grammar and high 
schools occupy rooms in this building. There are nine other 
schools within seven miles of Reedly, showing that our sec- 

—37— 



tion is up to date in educational advantages. Our shipping 
facilities are first-class, being on the lines of the Santa Fe and 
Southern Pacific Railroads. Our products are similar to those 
raised in every other portion of the County, and a large aver- 
age of vines, alfalfa, deciduous and citrus fruits are being 
planted annually. The grandest mountain range in the world 
lies east of Reedley, where can be found the Gen. Grant Park, 
the big trees and Kings River Canyon, referred to in -nother 
portion of this pamphlet. Reedly has a Board of Trade that 
looks after the general interests of the community. 









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A Residence on a Fresno County Vineyard 



SELMA 



The fertility of the soil and the introduction 
of an abundance of water for irrigation early 
attracted a large number of settlers to a district on the South- 
ern Pacific Railroad, fifteen miles southeast of Fresno. Here 
the town of Selma was laid out in 1880, and it is now the sec- 
tion of about $1500 Selma has been and is a district of rich 
reward for the settler of moderate means. Thousands of acres 
of fruit trees and vines in full bearing are to be found here. 
Second only to fruit raising is the growth of alfalfa, and the 
increased product of the Selma dairies is making well-to-do 
men of farmers who were a few years since having a hard 
struggle. The wide-awake and enterprising citizens of Selma 
have the usual business, mercantile and banking advantages of 
much larger places. The town maintains a good fire depart- 

—38— 



ment. A light and power company, a creamery, and two 
weekly newspapers, are among the semi- public enterprises. 
Eight churches are well supported A number of fruit and 
raisin packing houses furnish employment to several 
hundred men, women and children during the fruit 
season. Wages are as good as those obtained elsewhere in 
the County, and good workmen are never out of employment. 
The surrounding country is laid out with broad highways, well 
shaded, and the excellent drives are a source of much comfort. 
Selma is proud of her excellent public schools, which maintain 
the high Californian standard. The grammar school has 500 
pupils and ten teachers. The high school employs four in- 
structors, is accredited by the University of California, and is 
rated among the foremost institutions of its rank by the State 
examiners. Here can be found lands that compare equally in 
value and quality with other portion of the County, and it 
behooves every visitor who is in search of a home to make 
careful investigation. 




A Country Home in Fresno County. 
—39— 



CLOVIS North and east of Fresno City, about 11 miles, 

lies a fruit-raising" and grain district, where is one of the most 
promising in the County and State. Its central point, the 
town of Clovis, gives it its name. The town lies on a line of 
the Southern Pacific Railroad, which taps the foot-hills along 
the San Joaquin River, at Pollasky. Clovis has been known 
for years as the terminal of the Fresno Flume and Irrigation 
Company's 45 -mile flume, which at reasonable cost brings 
down great quantities of lumber annually from the extensive 
forests, situated in the eastern portion of the County, to their 
large mills, where it is prepared for the market. As a grain 
center, this town has been equally well known. The largest 
wheat farmer in the State gave his name to the place. Now, 
however, the recent discovery that the land is much more valu- 
able for fruit raising, is changing the character of the district. 
Cultivation of deciduous fruits, raisin and wine grapes and al- 
falfa, has shown that the land is particularly adapted to small 
farming, and that grain growing 1 is a thing of the past. Many 
large ranches have already been sub -divided and planted by 
Eastern people, who have built "up comfortable homes. The 
mining of copper is the third mainstay of the Clovis district. 
Deposits, such as the Copper King and Heiskell, were discov- 
ered some years ago east of the town, and now Clovis is the 
shipping point for large quantities of the valuable ore. Clovis, 
like all wide-awake towns, has its stores, churches, fraternal 
organizations, Board of Trade, newspaper, and so on. The 
district is irrigated by the water of the Fresno Canal and Ir- 
rigation system, one of the cheapest and best in the State. 



-40- 




Lumbering Interests Fresno County 



FOWLER 



That portion of Fresno County known as the 
Fowler district, lies about 10 miles southeast of 
the County seat, in the heart of which is located the thriving 
town of Fowler, drawing its support from an extremely fertile 
and prosperous section. A large acreage is planted to decod- 
uous trees, alfalfa and the raisin grape. To such an extent is 
the latter produced at the present time, Fowler is credited as 
being next to the largest shipping: point of raisins in the 
United States. In Fowler there are the usual lilies of business, 
which go to make up a live, wide-awake town. Here can be 
found a handsome Union High School, with a competent corps 

—42— 



of Instructors. In the grammar school there are 200 pupils. 
Fowler has five churches, each having its resident pastor. 
Though not incorporated, the town has the advantage of an 
energetic improvement club, which keeps the avenues and 
drives in fine condition, and maintains a free library and read- 
ing room, and the citizens of the Fowler district have recently 
organized a Board of Trade. The Fowler district has, like 
other localities in the County, excellent irrigation facillities, 
drawing its water supply from three systems. The land* are 
particularly adapted to raising all kinds of deciduous fruits, 
grapes, berries and alfalfa, the last named being so easily and 
successfully raised offers inducements to people to branch out 
in the dairy business. The large tracts of land used for grow- 
ing cereals are being sub- divided and placed upon the market 
for sale to small growers at a very reasonable figure. Among 
other commodities grown, the olive is by no means an experi- 
ment. Fowler has the largest olive oil works in the County 
with a capacity of 15,000 gallons per season. With our large 
packing houses located in Fowler, gives a market right at the 
door of the grower. Many varieties of crops, which can be 
produced with good profit here, are today overlooked simply 
from neglect of attention. Fowler is the highest poin on the 
main line of the Southern Pacific Railroad, in the San Joaquin 
Valley, between Bakersfield and Sjtockton, and in consequence 
makes this a healthy locality. 





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Driveway in Fresno County Vineyard 
—43— 




LATON 



Mountain Forests, Fresno County 

The town of Laton is located on the south- 
ern part of Fresno County. It is in the center 
of the Laguna de Tache grant, a large rancho situated along 
the north bank of Kings River, for a distance of nearly 40 
miles. Laton, the youngest town in the County, has sprung 
up as an evidence of what has been done in the adjoining 
country. It is the result of the breaking up and selling of 

.-44— 



LofC. 



a large tract of land. Laton has good general merchandise 
stores, school and church, public library and reading room, 
town water works and gas plant. The surrounding country 
has been rapidly settled up with farmers who have come from 
all directions. The farms are abundantly watered from Kings 
River, and the locality has become known as wonderfully good 
for Indian corn, alfalfa, potatoes and all kinds of vegetables, 
fruit trees and vines. Dairying, stock raising and hog raising 
are extensively and profitably practiced. The section is char- 







Kings River Canyon, Fresno County, 



acterized by the name Kings River bottom, and has a soil of 
great fertility. The two great lines of railroad serve this lo- 
cality, the Santa Fe with a station at Laton and the Southern 
Pacific at Lillis, about a mile and a half west. Laton has 
an active Board of Trade and a live weekly paper. Other im- 
portant points in the County are Malaga, Coalinga, Jamison, 
Polasky, Academy, Toll House, Pine Ridge, Parlier, Kearney,, 
Park Del Rey, Malta Mora, Tarpey, Kingsburg, Easton, Olean- 
der and Lone Star. 



RECREATION 



Fresno County offers much in the way of 
sport and recreation that is attractive. 
During the shooting season there are quail, doves, ducks and 
geese in abundance among the Sierra Nevada. The mountains 
east of Fresno, and within easy reach, are many of the most 
attractive nature wonders and resorts in the world. The Yo- 
semite valley is but three days drive, and only two days by 
rail and stage from Fresno. The famous Kings River Canyon 
is easily accessible by stage and trail. At shorter distances in 
the lower spurs of the Sierras are numerous beautiful resorts 
that offer good hunting and trout fishing, and that are much 
frequented by Fresno people. 






Reasons Why Fresno County Is a Good 
Place in which to Locate 



It is a healthful place. 

It offers a greater variety of occupations than most other 
places. 

Its agricultural and horticultural possibilities are un- 
limited. 

It has more advantages and fewer disadvantages than 
most other places. 

Good soil. 

Good climate. 

Plenty of water. 

A man with a small capital can locate in Fresno County 
on twenty or forty acres of land, go to raising alfalfa and 
dairy cows, and he can begin to earn money quicker than in 
almost any other place. With ordinary industry and intelli- 
gence he can, within a few years, own a fine orchard or vine- 
yard, a property worth from $150.00 to $350.00 per acre. This 
has been done by others; it is being flone by others: it can 
be done by you, if you are willing to try. 



This Pamphlet 



is issued by the CHAMBER OF COMMERCE of Fresno Coun- 
ty, California. Persons desiring further information will be 
furnished with same on application. 



EVENING DEMOCRAT PRINT, FRESNO, CALIFORNIA 



LS? Y 0F CONGRESS 




017 168 265 4 



Conservation Resources 
Lig-Free® Type I 
Ph 8.5, Buffered 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




017 168 265 4 




